Inspiration 9

I recently came across a mind mapping tool which I immediately became excited about. Inspiration 9 was developed by Inspiration Software Inc. and its 
 potential for use by educators, students and teachers is enormous.  This software allows the use of a vast array of visual activities including webbing, concept mapping, organizing multimedia projects, planning, and brainstorming, and can be applied across the curriculum. (View examples)

Inspiration 9, available for use with Windows and Mac, has a user friendly interface which consists of Diagram, Map and Outline views.  Each allows for a simple and quick start.    Each view is integrated so that changes in one view are automatically made in another.  Switching between views is just one click away. Included is Presentation Manager which makes it easy to create compelling presentations that may be viewed on any computer by downloading Inspiration Presenter for free.

There are over one hundred cross-curricular templates which can be modified, but new templates can also be created.  A wide variety of symbols are available for creating images that are colourful and have impact.  One easy click allows the user to add links, ideas, hyperlinks, external movies, audios, pictures and slides.  Slides are automatically generated based on the content of the map, diagram or outline and can be manipulated after compilation.  Online and built-in libraries provide access to images and a Word Guide assists the writing process.  To top it all off, a click of the mouse transfers documents to Microsoft Word.
(View video)

Inspiration 9 facilitates the Constructivist learning theories by allowing students to create their own maps/diagrams.  It supports self-paced learning and review, caters to learners of multiple intelligences, and fosters creativity.

This software is suitable for use in Trinidad because of its ease of use (just one click), its visual appeal, its numerous and varied applications, and its relatively low cost.